Top stars at the start

Professional cyclist Mühlberger: “It will be a great spectacle”

Gregor Mühlberger will tackle the Tour of the Basque Country on April 1st.(Bild: Andreas Tröster, Krone Kreativ)

Gregor Mühlberger will be riding in the Tour of the Basque Country from April 1st. The Salzburg native will be at the start line with top stars such as Jonas Vingegaard-Hansen and Primož Roglič. To do so, the 29-year-old slept in his own guest room for a month.

Two-time Tour de France winner Jonas Vingegaard-Hansen, Olympic champion Primož Roglič and world champion Remco Evenepoel will be pedaling in the Basque Country Tour from April 1. In addition to Felix Gall, there is another name in the field of participants: Gregor Mühlberger. The Salzburger-by-choice will be in the service of his Movistar team colleague Pelayo Sanchez, who is replacing former champion Nairo Quintana in the six-day stage race.

Remco Evenepoel (left) and Primoz Roglic will also be at the start in the Basque Country.(Bild: AFP)

Mühlberger himself returns to the saddle in Spain. After his last race to date in mid-February, he fell ill and subsequently preferred to prepare at home in Salzburg. Training tours took the native of Lower Austria to the Gaisberg and Berchtesgadener Land. He also slept in a guest room for a month. Why? "I rented an altitude chamber," explains "Mübsi" in an interview with the "Krone". In the end, an altitude of 2800 meters was simulated. A procedure that cross-country skier Teresa Stadlober also swears by. "We'll see how good that did me," laughs the professional cyclist. 

"So-so for riding"
On Saturday, March 30, the reigning Austrian champion will start at the "Gran Premio Miguel Indurain". Before the top stars start on Monday. And thousands and thousands of fans along the route. After all, the Basques are crazy about cycling! "Our sport has a huge status there. It's also really cool for us riders," says Mühlberger, who is expecting a "great spectacle" thanks to the field of participants.

"It will certainly be really good to watch. So-so for riding," grins the 29-year-old, who turns 30 on April 4 and will therefore be spending his birthday in the saddle for a long time. The real celebration will follow after his return home. Then he can perhaps raise a glass to a good result in the Basque Country with his wife Astrid and close friends.